PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Cumberland has moved closer to legislative approval for merging its four fire districts into one, after a bill won endorsement from the House Municipal Government Committee Thursday.
In a November 2010 referendum, voters -- by a 4-to-1 ratio -- approved going to one fire service in 2013. That approval afforded flexibility: by creating one municipal fire department, one independent fire district or a regional service.
The Cumberland Town Council in May voted 5 to 2 for a resolution seeking General Assembly passage of one fire district.
Rep. James N. McLaughlin, D-Cumberland and prime sponsor of the bill that cleared the House committee, said making the change "will serve the taxpayers."
Meanwhile, the Senate version of the bill is on Tuesday's Senate floor calendar.